Detectives are investigating after the body of a 75-year-old man, who had reportedly been abducted, was found dumped in a thicket in Juja, Kiambu County.
Stephen Gitonga Gacheru was allegedly abducted from a parking yard in Thika Town on January 22, 2026.
His body was discovered in the Mugutha area on January 23, 2026.
Police said he appeared to have been clobbered to death, but the motive for the killing was not immediately clear.
The abductors reportedly demanded a ransom for his release, and the victim’s phone was allegedly used to contact family members.
His son said he received a call from his father, who is a businessman in Kamenu, Thika Town, asking for Sh20,000 to address an emergency.
The son said he sent the money, but later discovered that the call did not go through when he tried to confirm receipt.
He said his mother and sister had received similar calls.
The family reported the matter to police after the kidnappers allegedly threatened to harm the man if the money was not paid, police said.
Officers pursued suspects from Thika Town to Machakos and back to Juja on Thursday.
The operation was called off at 3 am without any arrests.
On Friday at about 10 am, the man’s body was found in Mugutha. Police moved the body to a mortuary pending an autopsy.
Authorities said no arrests had been made in connection with the abduction and killing.
The family later returned to the parking yard where he had left his vehicle on the day he was abducted and found it still there.
In Gatongora, Ruiru area, a suspect was reportedly stoned to death during an attempted robbery at a private firm.
Police said the man had allegedly attempted to steal concrete poles when an alarm was raised and a mob gathered.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
In Nkondi, Tharaka Nithi County, a man was reportedly burnt to death after he was accused of stealing two goats.
The body was moved to the mortuary pending investigation.
Police urged the public to avoid mob justice and instead surrender suspects to authorities for proper handling.